LEADING FRENCHMEN TAKEN TO GERMANY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 80, 5 April 1943, Page 3

LEADING FRENCHMEN TAKEN TO GERMANY

BERLIN FEARS COUP

British Warning Of Fake Hun Commando Raids N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, April 4. MM. Daladier and Blum, and Marshal Gamelin have been transferred to Germany to forestall a planned British and American coup to liberate them, says the Berlin radio. The British and Americans hoped to get hold of prominent personalities to form a counter-Govern-ment and create chaos and disquiet in France, the radio added. MM. Reynaud and Mandel had previously ben transferred to Germany. The German Government is unable to comply with Laval's request to leave MM. Daladier and Blum and Marshal Gamelin in France, but gave an assurance that the transfer would not result in any aggravation to the treatment "the transferees were receiving. These persons would again be put at the disposal of the French Government as soon as circumstances permit that. Advice to French People A warning to the French people that the Germans may try to fake commando raids on the French coast to discover Allied sympathisers has been broadcast by the 8.8.C. and the Algiers radio. The spokesman, on behalf of the inter-Allied High Command, said: "We believe the Germans intend to stage these fake landings. You must receive all rumours of Allied landings with the greatest reserve and listen to Allied radios. We will inform you when the right moment arrives to strike." Reviewing Greek Army units in Cairo, the Greek War Minister, M. Karapanyiots, declared: "It won't be many months before the invasion of Greece is begun." Reports from France indicate that all Frenchmen hold but one thought in mind—the probable date of the second front, says the Berne correspondent of the New York Times. Trustworthy sources say that groups of resistance are devoting their full energy to preparing aid for a British and American landing. Their greatest concern is to do nothing rash lest the extent and details of the organisation be revealed before the impending struggle. Giraud's Appeal to Italy The Algiers radio says that a spokesman for General Giraud, addressing Italians, said: "The Fascist party sold Italy to Hitler. The hour has struck when you must lay down your arms. Decide now. Past errors can be rectified. The peace which we shall propose will be honourable. Neither Goering's speeches nor the heroism of your sons will be able to defend you against the thousands of bombers preparing to raid you and your industries and transport. Evervthing that gives bread to the Italians will be destroyed." The Rome radio last night broadcast an Italian War Office order calling up all previously rejected 18, 19 and 20-year-old men for a new medical examination. Reports from the Balkans indicate increasing German nervousness in Eastern Europe. Hitler is reported to have received King Boris of Bulgaria at Berchtesgaden and to have demanded the immediate armed participation of Bulgaria in defence of the "fortress of Europe." M. Daladier was Premier of France when war was declared in September, 1939, and was later replaced by M. Reynaud, who escaped temporarily from the Germans after France fell. M. Mandel was Minister for the Colonies in the Daladier Government, Field-Marshal Gamelin was Allied Commander-in-Chief in France at the outbreak of the war.